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FAQs about Genus Fromia Sea Stars
Foods/Feeding/Nutrition
Related Articles:
Fromia Stars, Asterina Stars,
An Introduction to the Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea
Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and More... By
James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs:
Fromias 1, Fromias 2, & FAQs on:
Fromia Identification, Fromia Behavior,
Fromia Compatibility, Fromia Selection,
Fromia Systems, Fromia Disease,
Fromia Reproduction, &
Sea Stars 1, Sea Stars 2,
Sea Stars 3, Sea Stars 4,
Sea Stars 5, Seastar Selection,
Seastar Compatibility, Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior, Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction,
Seastar Disease, Asterina
Stars, Chocolate
Chip Stars, Crown of Thorns Stars,
Linckia Stars, Linckia Stars 2,
Sand-Sifting Stars, | 
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What do Seastars Eat
<<Hello, JasonC here filling in while Bob is
away diving.>>
Is the starfish Fromia monilis totally reef safe?
<<Bob has it marked as such in his article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastars.htm >>
I finally found one
and bought it before researching it. I have a Derasa and a Crocea in my
Reef. What do they eat?
<<probably meaty foods and anything else
they run unto.>>
Are these clams food for them?
<<IF your
Seastar were large enough and hungry enough, I wouldn't put it past
them, but you can avoid this by keeping it fed/make sure it is getting
food elsewhere.>>
Also, what do the Tiny Red Reef stars (Fromia
elegans) eat.
<<micro fauna>>
They are the tiny Bright Orange
one's. I have never seen them do anything bad but want to find out more
about these two species specifically.
<<read that link I included.>>
Thanks, Michael Koenig
<<Cheers, J -- >>
Poor Skimmer Design Woes/Fromia Sea Star - 05/24/06
Hello,
<<Hi Josh!>>
I am pretty new to the marine environment.
<<Much
reading/researching ahead of you then>>
Right now I have a nice 20
gallon tank set up and everything is doing fine. My ammonia level is at
zero and everything else checks out too. Today I just installed my Sea
Clone 100 protein skimmer, and I tried adjusting the venturi valve and I
get massive amounts of tiny bubbles. I read their tech documents and
they mention that some de-chlorinators are gel like and also serve as a
protective slime coating for fish and that to run the skimmer for 1 day
or up to 3 weeks with the venturi valve off.
<<Mmm, defeats the
purpose of having the skimmer doesn't it?>>
The de-chlorinator I use
is TetraAqua AquaSafe Water Conditioner. I am wondering if anyone has
had experience with this product and how long it should be until the
AquaSafe is broke down enough that when I adjust the air intake I don't
have any micro bubbles flowing into the tank.
<<Though it is true
that some water conditioners will cause a skimmer to "foam" excessively,
"micro-bubbles" entering your tank does not sound like this is the
problem. It seems to me this is more an issue with trying to tune a
poorly designed skimmer. You will likely need to contrive some sort of
bubble trap...or better yet...get a better skimmer>>
Normally I
would not mind but I am afraid of too much oxygen in the take may harm
or kill my starfish.
<<Too much oxygen is not an issue...but
excessive micro-bubbles can be problematic to some organisms>>
I am
not sure of the type of star it is. It's red with black tips; I think
it’s a Red & Black Sea Star (Fromia milleporella).
<<Hmm...these are
"all red" in my experience. Perhaps a geographic variant...or a
different specie altogether>>
The guy at the fish store told me this
star does not so well with salinity changes, too much air and other
stuff.
<<Mmm, can be said of many things>>
Also any advice on
feeding this star and caring for it would be great.
<<Please start
reading here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fromiastarfaqs.htm >>
The fish store
told me to feed it some zucchini. It will go to it and lay on it but
after removing the zucchini after 30 minutes there is no evidence that
the star is feeding on it. I also purchased some frozen food the
recommended Formula One. Any
suggestions on these topics would be
much appreciated.
<<The Fromia sp. sea stars are generally
considered detritivores but will benefit greatly from supplemental
feedings of marine based "meaty" foods (shrimp, krill, mussel, clam,
etc.).
Thank You
Josh
<<Regards, EricR>>
Question about Fromia Sea Star, fdg. – 08/31/07
Hello
WWM Crew,
I am writing to ask your advice regarding the best way
to care for a Fromia sea star that I recently purchased for my reef
system
First, an overview of my setup is provided below for your
information.
System Overview
Display: 135 Gallon Tenecor
Acrylic Aquarium (72" W x 18" D x 24" H) with 1" fine aragonite sand
bed (vacuumed frequently) and approximately 120 lbs of Live Rock.
Recirculation rate is about 1300 GPH.
Refugium: Ecosystem 3616
Mud Sump with active Chaetomorpha and roughly 15-20 lbs Live Rock.
Two large overflows with Durso standpipes add roughly 30 gallons
"fishless" volume.
Lighting: Three 150 W HQI pendants (12K) and
Four 160 W VHO (1 AquaSun, 2 Actinic White and one Actinic). Lights
are on timer sequence with MH's running about 8 hours/day and
maximum wattage peaks at around 930 W.
Filtration: Eco Reef CS
135 which runs continuously and produces about one cup (very dark
and smelly) skimmate every 2-3 days. Also employ four (1 cup each )
bags of activated carbon in the in the sump which are
rotated/replaced one bag per week.
<Good technique>
Chiller:
1/4 HP Aqualogic "drop in coil" type
<Are you happy with this
unit?>
Water Parameters
Temperature: 81 (+/- 1) F
Ammonia,
Nitrite and Nitrate not detectable per Salifert test kits
Salinity 35.5 (+/- 0.5) ppt
pH - 8.4
Calcium ~ 400 ppm,
Alkalinity ~ 9 dKH
Inhabitants
Fish: Flame Angel, Bicolor
Blenny, Purple Firefish, Sunrise Pseudochromis, Neon Goby
Corals: Pocillopora, Plate Montipora, Encrusting Montipora
Inverts: Two Cleaner Shrimp, Blue Legged Hermit Crab, assorted
Astrea snails and a Tuxedo Urchin
LR Hitch Hikers: Zoanthids,
Star Polyps, Unknown Encrusting Stony Coral, assorted sponges and
small clams.
Macro Algae: Assorted small Halimeda and Caulerpa
(removed manually).
After a thorough review of your invaluable
website (along with Mr. Calfo and Mr. Fenner's "Reef Invertebrates"
book) I decided to take on the challenge of keeping a Fromia sea
star. After several months, I finally came across an exceptionally
beautiful Fromia specimen and introduced it into quarantine about
three weeks ago. The quarantine is a 10 gallon glass tank with
several "grapefruit" size pieces of live rock from the display,
along with a "mature" sponge filter and a couple of powerheads.
<Sounds good>
To acclimate the Fromia, I took water from my
display, then adjusted the salinity so that it matched the "bag
water" (32.5 ppt). I then drip acclimated the sea star to the
quarantine water over a period of a few hours to minimize shock to
the animal. Incidentally, I also checked the bag water for phosphate
and nitrate level of the LFS water, which measured 3 and 50 ppm
respectively (which I assume was quite stressful to the animal).
<Mmm, maybe>
I let the salinity slowly go up to 35 ppt over a few
days by topping off the tank with salt water. I also change out
1gallon of water every day using display water as make-up.
<Very
good>
I watched the animal closely for the first week or so for
signs of tissue necrosis and so far it appears very healthy. But for
the first two weeks or so the animal just stayed in one place in the
tank (hardly moving at all). It has since started to move about a
bit which I take as a sign the animal is acclimating to its
surroundings. So at this point I believe it would be a good idea to
introduce the Fromia into the display within the next week or so.
<Okay>
Now (finally) for my question - based on observations over
the last three weeks, I am unsure about the best strategy for
feeding this animal. After my reading in "Reef Invertebrates" my
original thinking was to let the animal "graze" on the live rock
fauna and any food left behind from fish and coral feeding.
Alternatively, I am considering putting the star in the refugium,
where there appears to be a higher density of potential food items.
<I would try the tank first... if the animal moves around a bit
every day, it is likely fine, getting enough food...>
There seems
to be quite a bit of contradictory information on the subject and I
would greatly appreciate learning your thoughts / suggestions on the
best feeding strategy based on your experience? Are you aware of any
supplemental feeding that may be worthwhile to try for this species?
<Given your excellent set-up and good relating of same, I don't
think that supplemental feeding will be necessary. Fromia stars
actually consume very little... though I'd like to comment that
there are some carnivorous species of seastars of other genera for which this does not hold>
As always, I want to thank you for your website and the assistance
you provide.
Scott
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>
Re: Question about Fromia Sea Star 9/1/07
Hello Bob,
<Welcome Scott>
Thank you very much for your reply. I will move
ahead as you suggested and introduce the sea star to the main
display.
<Ah, good>
I wanted to reply to your question about
the drop in filter. I have had the unit in service for about six
months now and so far I would have to say I am happy with the unit.
Prior to installing the chiller, the tank would reach temperatures
of over 84F by late afternoon (tank is located adjacent to an
exterior wall in Southern California).
<Ah, yes... Thank you for
your input... many folks have stated their antipathy for such
drop-ins... am glad to hear a positive comment>
I have the
drop-in coil placed in the third chamber of the Ecosystem sump, with
the set point adjusted to come on at 81F, and chill the water down
to 80F. The compressor is located adjacent to the cabinet and kicks
on for about 30 minutes every 2 hours or so. The room gets a bit
warm but noise is really not a problem. Generally speaking, the unit
has been very reliable in maintaining the tank within the
temperature set points. I have also been able to significantly
increase lighting intensity and duration in the tank (to the benefit
of the coloration of my Pocillopora). I have noticed some scaling on
the coil, and figure that eventually I will need to clean the coil
in a vinegar solution, but so far the scaling does not seem to
significantly impede heat transfer.
<Okay>
You also mentioned
that some species of Fromia are carnivores.
<Mmm, on smallish
animals...>
I have attached a photo of my Fromia and wonder if
you could help further ID this animal (my LFS was of no help). I am
curious if you are aware of and particular requirement of this
species.
<Pretty sure this is a F. indica... very nice pic and
specimen>
As always, I very much appreciate the insights and
information you and your crew share with novices such as myself.
Scott
<A pleasure to share. BobF> |
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